Several meetings after the November elections between pro-democracy Aung San Suu Kyi and political and military heavyweights have signalled that both sides are working towards a peaceful transition and national reconciliation. This holds key to Myanmar’s economic development.
Myanmar’s historic elections in November ended with a landslide victory for the NLD party. The NLD won almost 80 percent of the contested seats in both the lower and upper houses, giving it a 60 percent majority in each house.
The NLD now enjoys a massive mandate, but the military still plays a significant role in Myanmar’s politics. Since the pivotal elections a month ago, Aung San Suu Kyi has met with departing President Thein Sein, army chief General Min Aung Hlaing, parliamentary speaker (also a former general) Shwe Mann, and most notably with former dictator, Than Shwe to discuss power transition and cooperation.
Meetings with military heavyweights bring hope
While the NLD has secured a majority in the contested seats, the military still holds 25 percent of the seats of both houses. Therefore, although the NLD has control over legislation it does not have control over constitutional amendments, which require 75 percent support from the parliament.
Thus Ms Suu Kyi and her party NLD will have to work closely with the armed forces to continue political reforms. That’s why after the elections, the party leader has downplayed pre-election confrontational rhetoric and called on NLD members to work with the armed forces and former regime members for national reconciliation.(Courtesy of Global Risk Insights)
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